"Many electric bikes (pedelecs, e-bikes) have a frame lock, but this is not sufficient protection against theft. Despite being secured, the bikes could simply be carried away or even rolled away on the front wheel", says Dr. Stefanie Hinz, Chairwoman of the State and Federal Police Crime Prevention Unit. The police therefore advise buying solid steel chain, shackle or armored cable locks with "tested quality" made of high-quality material (e.g. through-hardened special steel). "The lock should be large enough to be able to connect the bike with frame and front and rear wheel to a fixed object, for example a bike stand or lamppost. This also applies to parking in basements or garages, because even locked rooms don't stop criminals", advises Hinz.

In general, owners of electric bikes should use several locks to protect their bike, the battery or valuable accessories from theft. In addition to taking them with you, it is also a good idea to secure them with another lock. In general, the factory-fitted battery locks that many electric bikes have are not sufficient protection against theft. Meanwhile, there is also the option of attaching a hidden transmitter to the bike. These transmitters, known as GPS trackers, send an alarm to a cell phone via text message if the parked bike is moved. They also continuously transmit the current location of the bike.

The following applies to all bicycles: To enable the police to identify a stolen bicycle beyond doubt and return it to its rightful owner, it makes sense to mark it individually. Many bikes sold in Germany have an individual frame number stamped into the frame. If this is missing, cyclists themselves or specialists can apply an individual marking, for example by engraving it. Bike coding is also possible. You can find out where bike owners can have their bikes coded at specialist dealers.

All important information about the electric bike, such as the frame number, a photo and proof of ownership, should be noted in a bike passport and kept in a safe place. Many specialist dealers issue a manufacturer's or police bike passport when you buy a bike. Buyers should ask for this specifically, the police advise.

The leaflet "Securing bikes properly" offers further tips on the subject of theft protection for bikes, especially high-quality electric bikes, with information on the individual marking of bikes, buying and selling used bikes and the bike pass. Readers can also find out what to do if their bike has been stolen.